8th TSC recognizes Volunteer of the Year

By Spc. Kyndal Hernandez, 8th Theater Sustainment Command Public AffairsSeptember 15, 2008

8th TSC recognizes Volunteer of the Year
8th Theater Sustainment Command's Volunteer of the Year Melissa Miller-Crowley is awarded a plaque by Maj. Gen. Raymond V. Mason, 8th TSC commander, during the 8th TSC's first recognition ceremony, Sept. 8, at the Aliamanu Military Reservation Commun... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

<p>ALIAMANU MILITARY RESERVATION, Hawaii - The military community is full of volunteers - military, civilian and family members, who go above and beyond their duties everyday as an effort to enrich the quality of life for everyone. </p><p>The 8th Theater Sustaiment Command hosted its first Volunteer of the Year Recognition Ceremony at the Aliamanu Military Reservation Community Center, Sept. 8. </p><p>Soldiers and civilians from the 8th Military Police Brigade, 8th Special Troops Battalion, 45th Sustainment Brigade, and the 130th Engineer Brigade (Provisional) were nominated as the Volunteer of Year for donating nearly 7,000 combined hours and efforts to Soldiers and their families. </p><p>Volunteers performed tasks like cooking breakfast at the Fisher House at Tripler every month, participating in improvement at local community schools and helping Soldiers and families in their units as much as possible. </p><p>One volunteer, however, put herself over the top. Melissa Miller-Crowley, 82nd Engineer Company, 130th Engineer Bde. (Provisional), was awarded the 8th Theater Sustainment Command Volunteer of the Year award for showing the true spirit of volunteerism and dedicating herself to the Soldiers and family members of her unit, the 8th TSC and U.S. Army-Hawaii. </p><p> "It was a total surprise; I was not aware of this at all," said Miller-Crowley, wife of Sgt. Jarrett Crowley, senior equipment operator, 82nd Eng. Co. "I am overjoyed and thankful for the opportunity to be able to do what I do." </p><p>Miller-Crowley is the family readiness group leader for the 82nd Engineer Company. She has contributed countless volunteer hours to go above and beyond all expectations. She has helped soothe many a sweet tooth by sending care packages with homemade cookies to deployed Soldiers every month. </p><p>Miller-Crowley has also been present to welcome new births in the unit's families, has assisted with babysitting, and has taken family members to the hospital for appointments. </p><p> "I do this for the Soldiers and their families to show gratitude for giving us our freedom," said Miller-Crowley. "It gives me great pride and honor to help the ones who are willing to give all." </p><p>Four volunteers were nominated for 8th TSC Volunteer of the Year, including Sgt. 1st Class Beverly Browne, Miller-Crowley, Laura Oliver, and Candice Schmidt. </p><p>Each volunteer was selected and awarded as Volunteer of the Year for her specific unit. </p><p> "These volunteers fill (the) gap between Soldiers and families, establishing and maintaining the essential cord of hope," said Maj. Gen. Raymond V. Mason, commander, 8th TSC. "They are also the guardians of our neighborhoods and communities, extending the same hope they provide to Soldiers to those in need right here in Hawaii."</p>